Introduction to Native Sheep Husbandry

Join us for a day of sheep husbandry. This is a broad introductory day looking at native sheep care, birth and death, environmental and conservation considerations and legal requirements.

The Outside own and manage a flock of over 60 Shetland X Gotland sheep at Hardwick Estate to manage biodiversity with conservation grazing methods. They lamb the flock and blade shear them by hand. The flock are also used for therapy on the Estate and are managed to be incredibly friendly. 

During the day we will cover:

Meeting this years mums and lambs.

Practicalities of outdoor spring lambing.

Demonstration of ‘back friendly’ blade shearing (if a suitable unshorn sheep is still available).

Rolling, grading and picking a fleece.

Sheep breeds, fleece, size and temperament.

Assessing the health & needs of the land.

Managing sheep for biodiversity.

Organic certification and land management.

End of life: intentional and accidental losses.

Legal responsibilities and required paperwork

Balls, tails and feet